PEORIA, Ill. — Newly elected Illinois Pork Producers Assoc. (IPPA) President Phil Borgic couldn’t contain his enthusiasm and passion while describing what it meant to have his parents, from Arizona, on hand to witness his swearing-in at the 2008 Pork Expo in Peoria last week.<br>

Nor could he mask his excitement for his new role as the leader of the state’s largest pork producers’ organization, even as he and fellow IPPA members prepare for what could be the most volatile hog market period for producers since the late 1990s.<br>

“It’s going to be a challenging year,” said Borgic, who is the first second-generation president of the IPPA. His father, 78, served in the 1970s. “But with challenge comes opportunity, and I look forward to it.”<br>

Echoing the recent litany of pork producers’ woes such as high feed costs, an unexpected increase in slaughter hog numbers and the public’s resistance to new swine operations, Borgic said profitability is the most pressing concern he and other producers currently face.
“We’re losing $30-$40 per head,” Borgic said. “Most producers I know remember the pain we went through in 1998 and 1999. We’re trying to do whatever we can not to go through that pain again.”
The biggest single challenge facing pork producers is coping with volatile feedstock prices, according to Borgic, a Nokomis farmer who owns a farrow-to-finish swine operation and grows corn and soybeans. The IPPA is currently addressing the issue of high feed prices affecting profitability by reaching out to elected officials, he stated.<br>

“We’ve sent a letter to new Ag Secretary (Ed) Schafer trying to gain further release of non-environmentally fragile CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) land without penalty, in order to try to increase production of grains this year. We probably aren’t going to get it, but we’re going to ask,” Borgic said, adding that for the request to have any immediate effect, additional CRP land would have to be released by early March.<br>

“We’re also asking for financial assistance for producers. IPPA Executive Director Jim Kaitschuk met with Illinois Department of Agriculture director Chuck Hartke asking for assistance through the Illinois Finance Authority. We’re seeking low-interest loans to help producers stay in business along with less-stringent collateral requirements.”<br>

While the hog market may fluctuate, Borgic said he would remain steadfast in his dedication to IPPA’s Operation Impact and Operation Main Street initiatives, designed to enhance and promote the image and importance of America’s pork-producing families.<br>

“We’ll be busy getting our side of the story out to consumers, decision-makers and lawmakers throughout Illinois,” he said. “The number-one focus is to promote our right to produce and protect our ability to produce.”<br>

IPPA recently committed to a co-funded project with the Illinois Corn Marketing Board to study co-products in swine feed utilization through research conducted by University of Illinois swine nutrition experts. <br>

Borgic looks forward to the results of the study, as he currently employs a 20 percent distillers dried grain (DDGs) diet during gestation and is preparing to implement DDGs in gestation diets for his operation.<br>

“How much can I feed (DDGs) and not hurt the performance of my animals? That’s some of what this research will address,” said Borgic.<br>

Asked to describe his goals as new president of the IPPA, he responded “to try to get back to profitability as soon as possible.” Long-range goals include “working on our image with the public and telling our story, and putting a face with the industry.”<br>

The new face of the IPPA includes an aggressive advertising and promotional campaign, featuring real Illinois pork-producing families, designed to reach out to their rural neighbors. Borgic is particularly excited about IPPA’s “dynamic” Operation Main Street campaign, which brings local pork producers face-to-face with their civic leaders, townspeople and organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions’ clubs.<br>

“We’re placing pork producers at community events in order to get our message out,” Borgic explained, “but it will be necessary to have a lot of producer-volunteer hours to go along with the $250,000 we have committed to the project. We’ve asked our producer-members what they are willing to give to us for this project.”<br>

Expo highlights<br>

The 2008 Illinois Pork Expo was at the Peoria Civic Center and Pere Marquette Hotel Feb. 5-6. Hailed as the largest swine-specific trade show in Illinois, the Expo featured numerous exhibitors showcasing the latest in pork production products, services and technology.
Many well-known speakers from across the country addressed numerous topics of concern to Midwest pork producers, focusing on Management Strategies for Improved Profitability, the theme for the Expo’s educational seminars.<br>

Producers had an opportunity to get tips on improving the efficiency of their operations at the new Pork Resource Center, where UoI extension experts offered consultation on reproductive issues, auto-sort technology and developing manure management plans. Extension reps also offered advice on managing higher feed costs and utilizing DDGs in swine diets.<br>

IPPA’s annual Pork Production Auction took place on Feb. 5, with products and services donated by allied industry companies including feed, pharmaceuticals and equipment. The auction’s proceeds went to support IPPA’s legislative activities at the state and national levels.<br>

Also on Feb. 5, IPPA had its Generations of Commitment banquet to honor retiring board members, youth ambassadors and the organization’s Very Important Pork Promoters Award winners.
The IPPA had its annual meeting on Feb. 4 in Peoria. During the evening, registered attendees had an opportunity to enjoy IPPA’s Taste of Elegance Chefs Competition, featuring 12 chefs from across Illinois competing in creating the most unique pork entree.